The Jubilee Walkway. Section 5 of 5

Home , Admiralty Arch, Birdcage Walk, Buckingham Palace, Canada House, Carlton House, Carlton House Terrace

Transport for London.

The Jubilee Loop (anti-clockwise).

Start and finish: The Jubilee Walkway panel (on the south side of Trafalgar Square).

Section distance: 2 miles (3 kilometres).

Introduction. This is a circular walk in the heart of London linking the institutions of The Monarchy and the Government. This section of the Jubilee Walkway connects with section one at Trafalgar Square and at Great George Street. Look out for the Jubilee Walkway discs in the pavement as you go round. Directions. This walk starts from Trafalgar Square. Did you know? Trafalgar Square was laid out in 1840 by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the new Houses of Parliament. The square, which is now a 'World Square', is a place for national rejoicing, celebrations and demonstrations. It is dominated by Nelson's Column with the 18-foot statue of Lord Nelson standing on top of the 171-foot column. It was erected in honour of his victory at Trafalgar.

With Trafalgar Square behind you and keeping Canada House on the right, cross Cockspur Street and keep right. Go around the corner, passing the Ugandan High Commission to enter The Mall under the large stone Admiralty Arch - go through the right arch. Keep on the right-hand side of the broad avenue that is The Mall.

Did you know? Admiralty Arch is the gateway between The Mall, which extends southwest, and Trafalgar Square to the northeast. The Mall was laid out as an avenue between 1660-1662 as part of Charles II's scheme for St James's Park. Admiralty Arch was designed by Sir Aston Webb, constructed by John Mowlem & Co and completed in 1912. It adjoins the Old Admiralty Building, hence the name. The building was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother Queen Victoria, although he did not live to see its completion. The Mall is London's Ceremonial route from Buckingham Palace to the City of London. The Queen's coach came along here to her Coronation in Westminster Abbey in 1953 and to St Paul's Cathedral for the thanksgiving services for her Silver Jubilee in 1977, Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Continue ahead, passing the Royal Marines Memorial on the right, and passing in front of the grand facade of Carlton House Terrace. After nearly 300 metres, at the Duke of York steps, with its large granite column and bronze statue of the Duke of York at the top, cross over The Mall at the Duke of York steps. St James's Park stretches out ahead and to the right. Did you know? At the top of the Duke of York's steps is the Duke of York Column; he was the second eldest son of King George III. The column is made of pink granite, and the statue created by Sir Richard Westmacott in 1834. The Duke of York was the commander-in-chief of the British Army during the French Revolutionary Wars and is remembered in the children's nursery rhyme, 'The Grand Old Duke of York'. St James's Park is the oldest Royal Park in London and near to three palaces: Westminster (now the Houses of Parliament), St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. It was once famous for its Milk Fair which, until 1904, provided fresh milk from cows tethered beneath brightly coloured awnings.

You have a view of Buckingham Palace at the end of The Mall. Follow The Mall to Buckingham Palace, passing a double-sided Jubilee Walkway panel interpreting the spectacular views. In front of Buckingham Palace is the Queen Victoria Memorial, a white marble column with a statue of Queen Victoria, facing up The Mall, which was completed in 1911. Look out for another panoramic panel that was unveiled opposite the Palace to mark the Golden Wedding anniversary of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, celebrated in November 1997.

Did you know? Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. It was originally a town house that was owned from the beginning of the 18th century by the Dukes of Buckingham. Now it is The Queen's official residence, with 775 rooms. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are opened to visitors on a regular basis.

Walk around the western edge of St James's Park and turn left down Birdcage Walk, keeping the park on your left and passing Wellington Barracks and the Guards Chapel on the other side of Birdcage Walk.

At the end of Birdcage Walk cross Horse Guards Road, into Great George Street.

Continue 150 metres further on, into Parliament Square to see the Tower of Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and round to the right, Westminster Abbey.

Did you know? Parliament Square itself has statues of many famous statesmen, including Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

Straight ahead (on the left-hand side of the wall) there is an Jubilee Walkway panel in Parliament Square. Did you know? The history of Westminster Abbey goes back more than a thousand years, when Benedictine monks came to this site in the 10th century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day. The Abbey has been the Coronation church since 1066 and 17 monarchs are buried here. The Abbey, which towers over the attractive St Margaret's Church, is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, who, legend says, was swallowed by a dragon. Its current form dates from 1486-1623 and since 1614 it has been the church of the House of Commons. The site of the Houses of Parliament is officially known as the Palace of Westminster, and was the residence of Kings. Since 1547 it has been the permanent site of Parliament. The clock tower, now known as the Elizabeth Tower, contains the famous Big Ben bell, cast in 1858 and named after Benjamin Hall, commissioner of works at that time. You can hear it striking each quarter and its familiar chimes on the hour.

Retrace your steps back along Great George Street towards Horse Guards Road and cross back to the edge of St James's Park. Find the pathway that goes down to St James's Park lake, which is home to pelicans. East from here is the back of Downing Street, where the Prime Minister resides. Look for another panel near the War Memorial by Horse Guards Road. Opposite is the parade ground, where every June, The Queen's birthday parade (or Trooping the Colour) is held to mark her official birthday. There are toilets along here and cafes nearby. From within St James's Park, continue northwards to reach The Mall again. At the Duke of York steps, cross The Mall, then turn right and return to Trafalgar Square through Admiralty Arch.